FIFA World Cup 2018 team analysis: Colombia have to battle hate factor to succeed in Russia

Country: Colombia

Placed in Group H also featuring Japan, Poland and Senegal

Fixtures:

Colombia vs Japan, June 19, at 5.30 pm (Saransk)

Colombia vs Poland, June 24, at 11.30 pm (Kazan)

Colombia vs Senegal, June 28, at 7.30 pm (Samara)

FIFA ranking: 16

FIFA World Cup fixtures | Groups and points table

Poland | Senegal | Japan" title="Group H analysis | Team-by-team analysis: Poland | Senegal | Japan" />Group H analysis | Team-by-team analysis: Poland | Senegal | Japan

Previous World Cup: 2014 (eliminated from quarterfinals by Brazil)

Best finish: 2014 quarterfinals

Star players: James Rodriguez (midfielder for Bayern Munich), Radamel Falcao (striker for Monaco), Davinson Sanchez (defender for Tottenham Hotspur), Juan Cuadrado (midfielder for Juventus)

Coach: Jose Pekerman

Colombia are always one of the most hated sides in the World Cup. Remember when Camilo Zuniga injured Neymar in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal, ruling him out for the semi-final against Germany (where Brazil were humiliated 1-7)? After that, attacking midifielder Edwin Cardona will come off a five-match ban for making an offensive gesture against a South Korean player during a friendly in November 2017. And now, Colombia are placed in a group that has another Asian nation, Japan.

Edwin Cardona has caused outrage after making an alleged racist gesture during Colombia's clash against South Korea. 🇰🇷

(Courtesy of MBC) pic.twitter.com/8NhcthKOI1

— Goal (@goal) November 10, 2017

Even on the final match-day of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Colombia only needed a draw to book their spot in Russia, while their opponents Peru also needed a draw to make the qualifying playoffs. The Cafeteros did just that - split points and slowing down their pace even though they had plenty of time to attack.

Love them or hate them, the Cafeteros are definitely fighters who will do anything to get a win. And this could be their secret to success in Russia.

Or will it be that man again - James Rodriguez? Back in 2014, Rodriguez stunned the footballing world in Russia and single-handedly guided Colombia to the quarterfinals with his mazing runs, pinpoint passes and crazy goals. This time around, he also has striker Radamel Falcao, who was injured during the Brazil World Cup four years ago, for company.

WOW WOW! Video of what appears Falcao convincing Peru players one by one to deal for a draw that would qualify both pic.twitter.com/8laXomElvY

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) October 11, 2017

Apart from these two though, the defence has no identity, while the other midfielders could struggle to support Falcao in case Rodriguez is man-marked. Coach Jose Pekerman, who was also around in 2014, bases most of his formations around Rodriguez and the challenge for Colombia should be to find a way around this deadlock.

Initially, they won't face this problem in Group H. Defensively, they should stay strong against pacey Senegal and hard working Japan. Poland, especially with Robert Lewandowski, will pose a problem. And that game in Kazan could determine who qualifies as the group-toppers.

Prediction: Colombia are poised to qualify from Group H. Their target will be to reach the quarterfinals and take it from there.

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